Posts Tagged ‘Soul’

Photo Credit: Courtney Pittman

The soulful rock band from Austin, Texas; Taylor & The Wild Now have recently released their debut EP last month.  The band was formed by Taylor Baker (guitar, vocals, banjo) and includes Drew Walker (guitar, trumpet). The Austin area greeted the release with praise and excitement, Taylor explains, “We are so incredibly proud of this EP; it encompasses such a beautiful collaboration of sound, ideas, and styles.  We put our all into it and we can’t wait to share it with the world!”

Check out our Q & A with Taylor here:

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Music Junkie Press: Thank you very much for taking the time out to talk with us here at Music Junkie Press! Tell us about how you two came together and created Taylor & The Wild Now?

Taylor: Hi!  We met through mutual friends during SXSW at a Local Natives concert. Drew would sit in with my band at the time and play trumpet, and it eventually turned into us creating our own project.

Music Junkie Press: We love Wanderlust and were happy to share the great song with everyone. Can you tell me more about the inspiration behind the song?

Taylor: Thank you, I’m glad you like it! I wrote it during a season in my life when I was really growing as a person and longing to figure out what direction my life was heading. It’s about finding your own way.

Music Junkie Press: The EP, which released on August 12th, really brings about a fusion of many sounds and styles and creates such a beautiful soundscape of music and is uplifting. Can you tell us more about the recording of the EP and was it an emotional process?

Taylor: It was such a fun experience! I would love to be in the studio all the time; it really stretches your mindset and view of the music. The whole process was really smooth. We worked with amazing musicians and had a fantastic engineer (Travis Kennedy), so we were in good hands.

Music Junkie Press: You recently performed in Austin,  Any show highlights you could share with us?

Taylor: We recently opened for our friends band, Tahoma, during their EP release show at Lamberts.  It was a blast. Grammy-nominated artist, Andrew Duhon, played as well.

Music Junkie Press: What are your upcoming shows you can tell us about?

Taylor: We have a show September 30th at Empire Control Empire, and we’re playing a festival in Ohio the second weekend in October. Other than that, we’re just trying to write new music and line up bigger shows with other artists.

Music Junkie Press: If Taylor & The Wild Now were to become a comic book, what would each of your superhero names and super powers be?

Taylor: I would be Blueberry Girl and my super power would be to put people under a spell when I sing.  Drew would be Banana Man and his super power would be to melt people with his trumpet.

Music Junkie Press: Your music truly brings emotion to life, do you have a particular song writing process?

Taylor: Not exactly. I rarely sit down and finish a song all at once. I like to write a little bit at a time and let it slowly evolve.

Music Junkie Press: What will you be working on next? We are hoping for a US Tour in support of the EP… California stop please!!

Taylor: We’re just writing a lot of new material at the moment, and trying to play more shows outside of Austin. I would love to play in Cali! Hopefully that will be soon.

Music Junkie Press: Here at Music Junkie Press, we are strong believers about how music can help, heal, inspire, etc. Can you share with us a particular time in which music was most there for you?

Taylor: I agree! Music is always there for me. If I’m going through something difficult I’ll just go in my room and write a song. It’s so therapeutic.

Music Junkie Press: How about your Go To song, what song do you put on to get yourself revved up and ready to go?

Taylor: That’s a good question! It changes a lot, but at the moment I’d say Ritual Union by Little Dragon or Out on the Street by Spanish Gold.

Music Junkie Press: If we could peak into your Ipod, what artist or song might we be most surprised at finding in there?

Taylor: Maybe Stone Free by Jimi Hendrix or Toxic by Britney Spears…don’t hate.

Music Junkie Press: Lastly, is there anything else that Taylor & The Wild Now would like to share with our audience and your fans?

Taylor: Hugs, not drugs. Chocolate is good for you. Happiness is a choice.  Also, be sure and check out our website for more information. www.taylorandthewildnow.com

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Take a listen to their song, Wanderlust which has soaring vocals, a great melodic guitar solo, sweet guitar tracks and creates the perfect feel good vibe. Check out the track here:

 

You can pick up their self titled EP here on iTunes. Make sure to check out their social media sites so you can stay up to date on their latest news.

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

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Last Saturday at The Phoenix Theater in Petaluma, I was able to finally catch a set of Kingsborough. I have been hearing a lot of great buzz about this band for a couple years now. We missed them this summer at Bottle Rock in Napa, and we have been waiting ever so impatiently to find the right time to see them. Well the stars aligned and the music gods made it happen. They were playing at The Phoenix and we were not going to miss them, especially for such a close show for us.

Kingsborough is:

  • Billy Kingsborough: Vocals
  • Alex Leach: Guitar
  • Chris Mangione: Bass
  • John Whitney: Drums

Well, they did exactly what I had expected, actually they exceeded my expectations and completely blew us away with their performance. These guys must eat adrenaline filled Wheaties because from the moment they hit the stage to the time they step off, they are giving a full 150% of their energy. When asked about their energy and if they have any pre-show rituals to harness their energy, Billy comments,

“We don’t really have anything specific that we do before shows to harness our energy. Its hard enough to get all the musicians and gear on stage in time to perform.  Personally (and I this goes for the rest of the guys), I just love to play, express, and become the music. Right before we hit that first chord, I think of all the times at work or in life where I don’t have the chance to do what I love or express myself, and think how the audience (whether it be 1 or 1 thousand) is giving me this opportunity. They deserve 110% of what I (and the band) is able to give just for being there. Hopefully, by giving our best, we inspire someone to do what they love as well.” 

Their stage presence is very commanding and really captures the crowd’s attention from the start. The music which is a very welcoming fusion of blues and classic rock but with a much more modernized face lift! They literally bring an intensity to their music, soulful vocals that just grab a hold of you, catchy choruses, spectacular guitar solos, striking rhythms and big harmonies that need their own zip code. This is one band that you can only be described as “ROCK AND ROLL AT ITS FINEST”. Check out some photos by our Rockin Ryan of their set:

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We are really excited to hear that Kingsborough will be releasing a new album, The Night, The Grind and The Woes sometime in November. Billy explains, “We were lucky enough to work with Grammy Award winning producer, Jason Carmer. He did Third Eye Blind’s Blue and has worked with countless other amazing artists like RUN DMC, Korn, Chuck Prophet and The Donnas. We recorded at his home studio in Berkley, about 5 minutes away from Fantasy Studios. Working there, we couldn’t help but draw inspiration from Creedence Clearwater Revival, Sly Stone and The Doobie Brothers. We even used some of the reverb chambers at Fantasy Studios that CCR used during their time there.” In addition to what to expect as to their sound on this album, Billy continues, “With that, you can expect a modern take on a very classic sound. We are a band and were put in a room with the record button on; and thats how the album sounds.

We look forward to the new album and in the meantime, make sure you head over to pick up their Said and Done EP on iTunes here:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/said-and-done-ep/id571140022. They even played some of their new songs in their set and my favorite is the soulful rockin track, Sinner. Be sure to visit their social media sites and their website of  www.kingsboroughmusic.com so you can stay up to date on all their latest news and upcoming shows.

We will leave you with some videos of their set at the Phoenix Theater. Stay tuned for more coverage of Kingsborough and we will see when we can bring you an interview with these amazing musicians.

Upcoming Shows: 

  • 9.11  Flamingo Hotel Santa Rosa, CA
  • 9.26 Whiskey Tip  Santa Rosa, CA
  • 10.3 Spancky’s Cotati, CA

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

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Jasmine Cain and her band of rebel rockers are bringing rock and roll to the gypsy soul. This high energy rock band features Jasmine Cain as songwriter, lead vocalist and bassist and she is ready to take over the music scene with her powerful vocals and soulful gypsy style. Her name is widely known in the motorcycle culture as her band has headlined Easyrider events for three consecutive years and her long list of festivals performances includes Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Radio Bold Music Festival, Bike Weeks in Daytona, Laconia, Las Vegas and Arizona as well as main act for Full Throttle Saloon (which became a TruTV series).

The Epiphone

Her bold and powerful vocals have been capturing everyone’s attention and once you take a listen, you will join in and fall in love her. They have recently released a music video for their song, Nightingale which has a really awesome chorus and completely ROCKS! Check it out here:

She has strong songwriting skills that easily connect the listener emotionally. Some of my favorite lyrics from the song are:

I can never believe in fairy tales and wishing wells
I hear only the sound of betrayal sang the Nightingale
Poisoned by a magic potion
Empty vile of devotion
Wrapped up in vines
Underneath a veil of my own visions

It is great to see such passion into rock music, songs that not only will rock your world but will feed your soul. With emotionally driven lyrics that invite your senses to awaken and create a stir within; the true magic of music and Jasmine Cain succeeds in achieving this! Another song which displays this is the soulful rockin track, Highway Prophet and it has a sweet guitar solo as well.

You can pick up Jasmine’s music on the Facebook page here or website store here: http://jasminecain.com/shop/ where you will also find other great Jasmine Cain merchandise. Make sure to visit the social media sites and stay up to date on their latest news.

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

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T&THEWN

The soulful rock band from Austin, Texas; Taylor & The Wild Now are set to release their debut EP on August 12th.  The band was formed by Taylor Baker (guitar, vocals, banjo) and includes Drew Walker (guitar, trumpet). The Austin area is excited for the new self titled EP release and Taylor explains, “We are so incredibly proud of this EP; it encompasses such a beautiful collaboration of sound, ideas, and styles.  We put our all into it and we can’t wait to share it with the world!”

They have premiered their first song of the album, Wanderlust which has soaring vocals, a great melodic guitar solo, sweet guitar tracks and creates the perfect feel good vibe. Check out the new track here:

 

That song definitely has me anticipating the new EP. They also have a couple upcoming shows in the Austin area to check out:

Jul 18               Uncle Billy’s                            Austin, TX
Sep 5               Lambert’s                                Austin, TX

Make sure to check out their social media sites and we will see if we can bring you an interview with them.

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

James Otto

James Otto

Today our Bottle Rock Napa Featured Artist is James Otto. Today I wanted to feature country artist, James Otto. I love James’ vocals. As many of you know I don’t listen to country that often. I guess it can best be explained by the following meme:

James Otto

James has such an amazing voice, he can take you from flirty, seductive, spiritual, comforting, and fun just by the range of his tones. He currently has his third album out, Shake What God Gave Ya and it is a collection of songs that highlight his powerful vocals and brings to the forefront, his heart of soul. The album is a journey of exploration of country-soul and one of my favorites on it is Soldiers & Jesus. The emotionally stirring lyrics are captivating and will feed your soul.  In regards to his latest album James explains,  “As much as there’s all these different fractures of country music these days—you have pop country, rock country, traditional country, alt-country, and all these things in between—I don’t know why country-soul couldn’t exist right alongside it all.” Shake What God Gave Ya is such a blast, spanning the spectrum from rump-shaking motivationals to pure romance, that even if Otto were country music’s sole soul man, that’d be genre enough.

James really brings a life to country and you can feel the influence of rhythm and blues in several of his songs. He really creates such an energetic and positive environment through his songs.  I am very excited to catch James Otto perform since his music is full of depth and layers, yet it is always uplifting. These days, we all could use more uplifting songs and smiles in our lives and James is there to bring them to us with his gift of music.  

Music:  Shake What God Gave Ya Latest Album which is available on Itunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/shake-what-god-gave-ya/id388805799

Songs to Check out: These Are The Good Ole Days available on Sunset Man 

 

Bottle Rock Napa Set: June 1, 2014   

Check him out and make sure to visit his social media sites for the latest news. Also mark your calendars for the weekend of May 30- June 1st for the Bottle Rock Napa. You can get more details about the festival and pick up your tickets at  http://www.bottlerocknapavalley.com/tickets.  You can check out below all the bands that have been announced and there are still more to come. Stay tuned for a new band featured each day for Bottle Rock Napa.

BottleRock

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

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Roem Baur

 

Today our Bottle Rock Napa Featured Arist is Roem Baur. For today, we are pleased to treat you to an amazing singer/songwriter who has a voice that will have you in awe! Roem is an operatic trained singer who brings to life his songs, whether they are alternative, folk, blues, indie rock or soul. He magically wraps his own unique voice around his songs and has the notes and lyrics dancing in the air.  Roem performed several shows at this year’s SXSW and now we are looking forward to his performance at the VIP Lounge for this year’s Bottle Rock Napa 2014 Festival.

Roem Baur currently has an EP out featuring a full band. This four song EP has four great upbeat fun songs. Roem‘s vocals are bluesy and has a great vocal range that can transfer it’s weight for emotionally driven lyrics. You can feel the passion he brings to his music through his tone and projection. He really will have everyone on their feet moving around when he plays.  I don’t know if he is performing with his whole band but I do want to include them here in our feature since their work on the EP is spectacular.

Band Members:

  • Roem Baur – Vocals, Guitar
  • Christian Behrens – Trombone
  • Damien Lewis – Bass, Vocals
  • David Heinke – Drums
  • Michael Parsons – Keys, Vocals
  • Caleb Ford – Guitar, Vocals

 

Music: Roem and the Revival EP  available on Itunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/roem-and-the-revival-ep/id714347265

Song to Check out: Natural Disaster

 

Bottle Rock Set Day:  Sunday, June 1, 2014  Stage: 2014 VIP Lounge

Check him out out and make sure to visit his social media sites for the latest news. Also mark your calendars for the weekend of May 30- June 1st for the Bottle Rock Napa. You can get more details about the festival and pick up your tickets at  http://www.bottlerocknapavalley.com/tickets.  You can check out below all the bands that have been announced and there are still more to come. Stay tuned for a new band featured each day for Bottle Rock Napa.

BottleRock

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

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